Alinde Fojtik Email & Phone Number

Athens, Georgia, United States

Athens, GA

• Assembles and processes biological samples for influenza detection from live birds captured in collaboration with state/federal agencies. Submits detailed reports to maintain state scientific collecting permits.
• Assesses and analyzes samples for avian influenza virus surveillance using virus isolation, hemagglutination assays (HA), RT-PCR, ELISA, and relevant procedures. Evaluates, characterizes, and summarizes virus.
• Performs ELISAs on all blood samples while managing and maintaining a database of ELISA results.
• Conducts husbandry and sample collection for live-animal experimental infection trials.
• Fosters beneficial relationships with collaborators.

• Trained and supervised the Waterfowl Banding Technician and two interns
• Captured and banded multiple species of waterfowl including: diving and dabbling ducks, Canada geese, common loons, and trumpeter swans using drive trapping, night lighting via airboat, and cannon netting
• Located and monitored ring-necked duck nests, and trapped and fitted hens with a subcutaneous radio transmitter within 24-hours of projected hatch. Tracked and monitored hens and broods until fledging or depredation.
• Determined exact locations of feeding lesser scaup (LESC) using compass points plotted in ArcMap to find sampling sites for Bithynia tentaculata. Collected snail samples to confirm presence of mortality-related.